Shelby council member charged with welfare fraud

SHELBY -- A longtime council member has turned herself in on felony welfare fraud charges.

Andrea Garcia was arraigned Tuesday in the Oceana County District Court on two four-year felony charges: one count of "failure to inform" and one count of welfare fraud, over $500.

The arrest warrant does not indicate how much money Garcia is accused of bilking the welfare agency, but Oceana County Prosecutor Terry Shaw said the amount is in the "thousands."

"The allegations mean that (Garcia) applied for, and received, public assistance that she would not have been entitled to because she was receiving other income that she didn't report," Shaw said.

Shaw said the Office of Inspector General -- a criminal justice agency within the Michigan Department of Human Services -- began investigating Garcia in August 2006 on a "tip" officials received.

The prosecutor's office received a file on Garcia in July, but Shaw then requested additional information be provided before charges were filed.

Shaw said he received a final report on Garcia last month and a warrant for her arrest was then issued. Garcia turned herself in to the Oceana County Sheriff's Department on Tuesday, Shaw said. She remains free on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.

A preliminary examination for Garcia is slated for Nov. 5. Garcia could not be reached for comment.

Village President Bill Glover declined to comment on whether Garcia will remain on the council, and claimed he hadn't been made aware any charges had been filed against her.

She has been a council member since 1997, according to village records.

But Garcia -- along with Glover and council member Dr. Steven Lessens -- have all been targeted for recall since the July resignation of veteran police chief Bob Wilson.

Boisterous residents at recent council meetings have accused Garcia and other council members for ousting Wilson over personal vendettas they have against him.

Meanwhile, Tim French, who also serves as the part-time police chief for the village of New Era, was recently hired by the Shelby council to replace Wilson.

French said he plans to continue working for both departments. The Shelby chief position is full-time, but the New Era position allows for a "flexible" schedule, French said.